Ciao, Fabulous Fashionistas!
Welcome to the second installment of The Blended Blog‘s fashion blog hop.
Over the next five weeks, we will be talking about transitioning our favorite summer pieces for fall. If you missed the first hop, it was hosted by Sheila at Making the Most of Every Day (the master mind behind this blog hop idea), Shaunacey from Confessions of Frumpy Mommy and Katie from The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life. They talked about taking white jeans, maxi dresses and striped dresses, respectively, from summer to fall.
Alison at Puppies and Pretties is getting us started for the today’s blog hop. If you have joined me from Alison’s blog, welcome. If you are starting here with me, be sure to take one hop backward to visit Alison, so you can check out her favorite transition piece. Then once you have visited here with me, please take a hop forward over to Sarah’s blog, Foxy’s Domestic Side, to see what she is sharing.
You might remember that one of my favorite summer outfits featured the lace tee. Not only did I admire that look on our very own Casey at A Little Bit of Cheer, but I went ga-ga over it on Pinterest, pinned it and tried to copy it myself paired with relaxed skinny jeans and heels. Check out that post here.
So when The Blended Blog-gers and I started talking about doing a transition series taking our favorite summer pieces into fall, a lace tee was the first thing I thought of.
And wouldn’t you know, Loft Outlet was one step ahead of me.
Check out these little cuties that awaited me when I started my summer-to-fall transition research at the Outlet Shoppes of El Paso.
Don’t those delicious colors just make your mouth water? They sure do mine. I bought a couple or four of these tees (and two long sleeved numbers) then began thinking how I would style them. I think the colors alone ‘read’ autumn but when paired with a scarf and colored denim, I knew I was on to a winning look.
I pulled out my colored jeans and laid them out with my new tees to get my color palette. Then I began combing through my scarves to find some that pulled each outfit top and bottom combination together.
Deep purple (not to be confused with the rock group of “Smoke on the Water” fame, for readers my age) with brown or burgundy denim. An icy blue tee with burgundy jeans. Tees (similar, similar) and jeans (similar) from Loft Outlet. Scarves from my closet and before that, Charming Charlie’s.
Here are some of the earth tones I love so much. Olive and brown colored jeans on the left and right, dusty mauve (hard to tell) in the middle. All from Loft or Loft Outlet. How ’bout that pumpkin colored tee? Can’t you almost smell the cinnamon and cloves and taste that pie and whipped cream? Scarves from Charming Charlie’s and Loft Outlet.
Ok, I started writing the first half of this post on Saturday evening and it is now Sunday…no, I didn’t write on it all night.
I pleaded with PC to be my photographer so that I wouldn’t have to post pictures taken with my iPhone in the reflection of my skinny mirror. Earlier in the week, I told him about all of the other hubbies who photograph their wives’ OOTD, and he brought home a tripod for me so I could try to take pictures with our camera using the timer. Super sweet but that is going to take some practice.
I finally convinced PC to help me today and then I will get on that tripod business this week.
I knew that the window of PC’s cooperation would not remain open indefinitely so I jumped in and out of three outfits as quickly as I could and we snapped pictures with great abandon – 3 minutes per outfit during commercials on NFL Sunday afternoon football games.
Here’s the first outfit.
My pants are not-so-skinny curvy, skinny jeans. I feel so self-conscious if my skinny jeans are skin-tight. So these are more like my own skin, kind of loose and saggy.
Here’s an upclose and personal look at my accessories because I know you are dying to see them that way.
Charming Charlie’s scarf, jewelry and watch, Payless booties.
When I was at Loft Outlet doing my lace tee shopping, I came across some long-sleeved versions that I liked. Two of them came home with me. I pulled out my new Merona military vest from Target (similar) and tried it out with the lace. I like that kind of unexpected play between masculine and feminine pieces.
I pulled out my boot cut jeans from last winter for these looks.
This was PC’s favorite and he started kind of enjoying his gig as fashion photographer. He suggested I try several poses.
My boots were an anniversary present from my sweet Prince Charming. They are Coral Circle G brand in chocolate crackle leather with bone embroidery, and that’s a mouth full. These are Liverpool jeans in a Sadie straight leg cut (exact). PC said he liked these jeans a lot. Guess I need to move them to the front of the closet!
My photog wanted our kitties to be a part of the action so I give you Purrsimmony and Purrsnickitty.
Actually, a little bit of Simmony and Snickitty makes its way onto every outfit and into every picture. Their fur is everywhere. I had to crop the picture below in order to cut off a long gray kitty fur that was planted on my jeans. Wonder why I can’t see it when I am taking the pictures but it is so obvious when I look at the pictures later. I probably go around El Paso looking like a woolly mammoth and don’t even realize it.
Oh, my gosh! I see I didn’t crop the fur out of this picture after all. See it? Right there by my great grandmother’s turquoise bracelet. Turquoise earrings from wine fest. Scarf from Charming Chuck’s.
Moving right along, you might have seen the picture I posted on Facebook and Instagram of this outfit. I unabashedly begged Loft Outlet to give me this outfit because I would love wearing it sooooo well. Heck, I only need the duster and the tee, I have my own jeans. Well, and maybe that necklace.
My pleading fell on deaf ears.
I wound up buying the long-sleeved tee but passing on the sweater and necklace. The burnout fabric in this tee is so softy.
In preparation for this post, I remembered a sweater I had purchased a half-dozen falls ago, that is something like this great duster. So, I put it together with the dust-y pink tee and here’s what I came up with.
I kinda like it but wish my Sonoma sweater from Kohl’s (similar, sorta similar) was longer.
Guess I could pin a ruffle on it. (I don’t sew)
Yeah, not so much, huh?
I think I might have to go back to Loft Outlet to visit the duster again, right after payday.
But hey, my neck looks pretty fair in these pics today. Can’t really see my scar and my double chin is just a single.
These jeans are high waist, curvy, skinnies from Loft (exact, similar). Gotta love the high waist. So, so, so glad that we have moved away from those HORRIBLE low-rise jeans that were popular about ten years ago. You know, that whole plumber look. A whole lot of my behind hanging out from the gap between my tee and the “waist” of my jeans never looked good but would look even worse these days.
The booties are from Payless. Faux pearls from Charming Charlie’s.
And with that, it has been about 24 hours since I started putting this post together. Wish I got paid by the hour. Hey, wait. Wish I got paid. Period.
Then I could afford that duster at Loft Outlet.
Thanks so much for joining me for this blog hop. Because I’ve been hopping since yesterday afternoon, I am going to sit down now, maybe even lay down (lie down?) and watch some TV. More football. Both of my fantasy football teams are winning this week. Life is good.
Please hop over to visit Alison and Sarah and link up your favorite transition look below. Then mark your calendars for next Monday’s blog hop post featuring three more of The Blended Blog-gers, make that The Blended Blog-HERS! See what I did there?
Hugs and kisses,
Loved the modeling and the photographer did a great job with the pics! You look beautiful friend. Loved the outfits and your gmas braclet is so pretty! Good job PC and you!
Thank you, friend. With your busy life, I just appreciate that you find to stop by. Kiss those angel babies for me. Love you!
Love, love, love that last outfit. And those boots!
The pink one? Do you think I should splurge on the duster at Loft Outlet? I will do whatever you suggest!!!
Here from TBB hop and I am LOVING all those lace tees – you are so right, the colors are to die for. And I agree with Deena – the last outfit is everything. Thanks for some great tips 🙂
Hey sugar! So glad you stopped by. Aren’t those lace tees in the prettiest colors? Could just eat them up. Wonder how many Weight Watcher’s Points in cotton? Thank you so much for being a Blended Blog follower. Hope you will come by to visit me regularly, too. XO
Haha! I am always speeding in and out of outfits, too when Brian takes mine! So stressful, but I got to get his help while he’s free! hahaha! I LOVE the outfit with the military vest and boots! That is THE perfect fall outfit! Love, love, love! My second fave is the last outfit with the sweater and pink long-sleeved shirt!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you so much! PC liked that vest outfit, too. I figured it was because he is former military. Ha!
OH my gosh, I loved this whole post! You make me want to go get that lace tee in every color! Loved how you pictured your outfits, so stylish of you, very pinterest worthy my friend. Yay for tripods, although I’m still trying to get used to mine, I get it work but it doesn’t always keep me in focus, darn! One day I’ll figure it out, one day…
Sarah, I am not sure my 10 second timer on my camera will allow me to get in place in front of my tripod. Not moving as fast as I once did! I want a remote now!!! Thank you for the sweet comment, my friend. XO
Oh, those boots of your are gorgeous 😍
Thank you! It was love at first sight for me.
I think I like olive with everything so my favorite looks are the blue and olive and the orangish and olive. Good post and really love your looks here, Leslie!
Thank you, Carrie. I think the blue and olive is kind of unexpected. It might be my fav, too. Can’t go wrong with green in any shade, in my book. Wore the purple to please PC as it is his fav color and I was at his mercy for my picture taking.
Great looks!!!
Jaymie
http://www.jaymieashcraft.com
Yay, thank you for commenting. And for your sweet words. Please come back to visit again!
So like your outfits! I like the layered necklace and scarf look in number one and those shooties… I LOVE the colors you paired with the military vest. Well done my friend! Think I need to make a trip to Loft Outlet!
Thank you, Sheila. I need to stay out of my Loft Outlet. It has become my favorite place for retail therapy.
I saw those lace tees at Loft and didn’t buy any – now I’m kicking myself. So pretty on you and I love how you styled everything!
Thank you, Lana. Maybe you could go back and take a second look. They are on sale!!!
that last outfit and the pearls are my FAV!!!! but I love all of teh colors in all of your outfits, they’re so perfectly fall!
Thank you, Shaunacey. I was afraid the pearls were “too much”. Glad to hear they work!
I REALLY REALLY Love every outfit you put together! Those color combos are AWESOME!!!! So glad you are loving that military vest! I am thinking I haven;t worn mine with my pink lace tee….so thanks for the inspiration, girl!! XOXOXO
Awww, I am so touched that I could inspire you…my favorite fashion muse! Thank you, Casey. Loft Outlet has a dusty rose lace tee with short sleeves that I might just have to pick up in order to extend my transition pieces research. XO
I love adding texture to an outfit through lace. It adds so much interest! You created some fabulous outfits. I love that soft pink color on you!
Great boots! I NEED a lace top. I love the texture it adds to you outfits!
Thank you, Jordan. I may have to go back for a couple additional colors. They are comfy and perfect for El Paso fall. Thank you for coming by.
I can so relate to not knowing what to do when semi-retirement took over 2 years ago. I have NO hobbies so that makes it harder yet..especially in the winter months. Just found your blog so will follow you and maybe I can pick up ideas on how you are handling the transition. Loving your outfits…is the Merona vest called a Kelp Green color? I have a Merona vest with the tags still on because I didn’t think I liked the dark green color but I’m liking yours now with how you have it styled? I thought I wanted the more faded out color but now I’m not sure 😉
Oh my gosh, welcome, Sandy!!! So glad you stopped by and thank you for leaving a message. My tags were on my vest til I “styled” it on Sunday. I think it probably is the kelp green. I truly wanted a faded, kind of worn looking vest but I really like this one. I bet we have the same exact vest. Do you remember what you paid for it? When did you buy it?
What did you do before you became semi-retired? Do you read? Any arts and crafts you like to do, or might like to try? If you ever want to guest post on my blog, I would love for you to. Or I know! I am working on a post that goes along with the one I wrote for The Blended Blog. If you would like to write something from your point of view on this retirement gig, that could be fun!! We could tag team.
Think about it and let me know. In the meantime, hope you will keep coming by. And when you do, please leave me a note! XO
Love this post! You are too funny – the poses and your hubby the photographer. I agree – why don’t stores listen to us – we are free product endorsements! Bring on the free stuff – I say!
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
I would have thought you would be up to your pretty little ears in free stuff. Your blog is so professionally done and you are every bit as perfect as any of the runway models. If I had clothing or accessories to market, I would go to you to ask for help in a heart beat!